It was dinner time, and the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the room. Monkey Lyly, however, had her attention fixed on something else entirely—her mother’s phone. Just before sitting down, she reached out her little hands, eager to tap the screen and scroll through her favorite videos.
But Mom, with a gentle yet firm voice, stopped her. “Not before meals, Lyly. It’s time to eat.”
Lyly froze for a moment, her face scrunching up in disbelief. No phone? At this very moment? She crossed her arms, puffed up her cheeks, and turned her head away dramatically. Clearly, she was not pleased.
She slid down in her chair, sighing as loudly as possible, hoping her mother would notice her protest. When that didn’t work, she put her chin on the table, staring at the food as if it had betrayed her. Every now and then, she glanced at her mom with a pouty look that said, You’re so unfair.
Mom tried to hide her smile, pretending not to be swayed by the theatrics. “Food first, Lyly. Then phone. You’ll enjoy it more if you eat with a happy tummy,” she explained.
But Lyly wasn’t ready to forgive just yet. She picked at her food slowly, giving exaggerated sighs, hoping her sulking would convince Mom to change her mind. Instead, Mom calmly placed a piece of fruit on her plate and said, “When you’re finished, the phone will be waiting for you.”
Finally, hunger won over pride. Lyly took a bite, then another, and soon the delicious meal distracted her from her sulk. By the time her plate was empty, her mood had already softened.
When Mom handed her the phone after dinner, Lyly’s eyes lit up, but deep down she knew her mother had been right. A full belly made the videos even more enjoyable.
And though she’d probably sulk again tomorrow, Mom couldn’t help but laugh—because Monkey Lyly’s little tantrums were as adorable as they were dramatic.
